Garmin is changing course on one of the most debated parts of its new Cirqa fitness band. After criticism over locking some functions behind a paid plan, the company will let Cirqa owners see live heart rate data at no extra cost.
The update was highlighted by sports tech blogger Ray Maker and marks a notable shift in Garmin’s subscription strategy for the device. Live heart rate viewing had previously been one of several features tied to a premium tier on the wearable, which has drawn comparisons to rival fitness bands such as Whoop.
The move suggests Garmin is responding directly to user backlash around basic health tracking being placed behind a paywall. For many buyers, real-time heart rate monitoring is a core feature rather than an optional extra, so making it free may help ease concerns about the value of the Cirqa platform.
Garmin has not, based on the available report, detailed every aspect of the revised plan in this snippet. But the headline change is clear: anyone who owns a Garmin Cirqa will be able to access live heart rate data without paying for that feature through the subscription.
